Eight Sabbats of Witchcraft By Mike Nichols Review // AUTUMN EQUINOX

 Eight Sabbats of Witchcraft By Mike Nichols Review 

AUTUMN EQUINOX

(2005)

BUY THE BOOK HERE: The Witches' Sabbats: Mike Nichols: 9780971005020: Amazon.com: Books

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H A R V E S T   H O M E 

 by Mike Nichols 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

 There were three men came out of the West,

 Their fortunes for to try, 

 And these three men made a solemn vow, 

 John Barleycorn must die...

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In this excerpt Mike Nichols describes the Autumn Equinox occurring on September 23-25 of every year. Nichols describes this holiday as a subject of sacrifice. This pagan holiday represents mid-autumn or autumn's height. 

Nichols states in the text,

"Technically, an equinox is an astronomical point and, due to the fact that the earth wobbles on its axis slightly (rather like a top that's slowing down), the date may vary by a few days depending on the year. The autumnal equinox occurs when the sun crosses the equator on it's apparent journey southward, and we experience a day and a night that are of equal duration. Up until Harvest Home, the hours of daylight have been greater than the hours from dusk to dawn. But from now on, the reverse holds true. Astrologers know this as the date on which the sun enters the sign of Libra, the Balance (an appropriate symbol of a balanced day and night). This year (1988) it will occur at 2:29 pm CDT on September 22nd."

He also describes the astrological transits that occur during the autumnal equinox. "Mythically, this is the day of the year when the god of light is defeated by his twin and alter-ego, the god of darkness. It is the time of the year when night conquers day. And as I have recently shown in my seasonal reconstruction of the Welsh myth of Blodeuwedd, the Autumnal Equinox is the only day of the whole year when Llew (light) is vulnerable and it is possible to defeat him. Llew now stands on the balance (Libra/autumnal equinox), with one foot on the cauldron (Cancer/summer solstice) and his other foot on the goat (Capricorn/winter solstice). Thus he is betrayed by Blodeuwedd, the Virgin (Virgo) and transformed into an Eagle (Scorpio)."

This is a very interesting perspective on the Autumn equinox, also known as Mabon, in some traditions. 

He also gives some information about druids, stating,

" 'They let him stand till midsummer's day, 

 Till he looked both pale and wan,

 And little Sir John's grown a long, 

long beard

 And so become a man... '

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

 Incidentally, this annual mock sacrifice of a large wicker-work figure (representing the vegetation spirit) may have been the origin of the misconception that Druids made human sacrifices. This charge was first made by Julius Caesar (who may not have had the most unbiased of motives), and has been re-stated many times since. However, as has often been pointed out, the only historians besides Caesar who make this accusation are those who have read Caesar. And in fact, upon reading Caesar's 'Gallic Wars' closely, one discovers that Caesar never claims to have actually witnessed such a sacrifice. Nor does he claim to have talked to anyone else who did. In fact, there is not one single eyewitness account of a human sacrifice performed by Druids in all of history!"

Nichols also adds further information on British folklore stating, 

"Jesse Weston, in her brilliant study of the Four Hallows of British myth, 'From Ritual to Romance', points out that British folk tradition is, however, full of MOCK sacrifices. In the case of the wicker-man, such figures were referred to in very personified terms, dressed in clothes, addressed by name, etc. In such a religious ritual drama, everybody played along. 

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

 They've hired men with scythes so sharp,

 To cut him off at the knee,

 They've rolled him and tied him by the waist 

 Serving him most barbarously... "

Lastly Nichols states, 

"In the rhythm of the year, Harvest Home marks a time of rest after hard work. The crops are gathered in, and winter is still a month and a half away! Although the nights are getting cooler, the days are still warm, and there is something magical in the sunlight, for it seems silvery and indirect. As we pursue our gentle hobbies of making corn dollies (those tiny vegetation spirits) and wheat weaving, our attention is suddenly arrested by the sound of baying from the skies (the 'Hounds of Annwn' passing?), as lines of geese cut silhouettes across a harvest moon. And we move closer to the hearth, the longer evening hours giving us time to catch up on our reading, munching on popcorn balls and caramel apples and sipping home-brewed mead or ale. What a wonderful time Harvest Home is! And how lucky we are to live in a part of the country where the season's changes are so dramatic and majestic!"

This is a beautiful depiction of the pagan history of the Autumnal Equinox. Thank You for reading.